“If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”- Albert Einstein

The P r o j e c t : A site dedicated solely to canvas of the Desk.

A Desk is where we work. Symbolic. Physical. Present. A second and third home. A Desk is a platform. A hearth. Roots are planted. It’s a place, a sanctuary, where hours upon hours pass. How do you work? How many hours? Locale? Lighting? Room with a view? At home? Coordinates, please. Clean and tidy? Sitting? Standing? Coffee cups? Is that tea? Minimalist? Scattered? What’s your equation? Type A plus A plus A? A-B? Creatively sprawled? In a rush? Feel like you need to tidy up–maybe you shouldn’t. Map it out.

The A s s i g n m e n t: Turn your camera on your workspace. Please, don’t stage it. Don’t clean it (a messy desk does not equal a messy mind). Don’t make something you or your work is not. This is a collaborative snapshot of what makes us uniquely us. To an extent, our work space, work schedule, surroundings and routine reflect the work we produce.

The G i r l : Kate Donnelly is a writer, cultural enthusiast and photographer. She worked in the New York film world for ten years (@ New Line Cinema and Revolution Studios). Earlier stints include the American Film Institute, Clinton-Gore White House, and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. She contributes to DailyCandy, Fathomand interviewed Alexander Payne for The Believer [PDF] . In 2000 (Y2K), she sailed down the Amazon River and recently traveled to Barcelona, Argentina and Uruguay. She doesn’t know how to properly dive into a swimming pool but still tries.

She enjoys travel to South America, The Kansas City Chiefs, The New York Yankees, Cooking, Land Rover D 110s, Pearl Jam, Grass Fed Beef, Surf Photography, The Brooklyn Bridge, William Gibson, The Strand Bookstore, The Smell of Garlic, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Oysters, The Sunday New York Times and her dog, Eddie.

I love the concept, but I wonder. Who checks in on this. You or the artists involved. I have commented just because there weren’t many comments but also because, your project, like me, is a free spirit. I would love to learn more of your other efforts. I read on
-Smarmy

I’m a long-time professional organizer with 2 published books. I am crazy about this site because it combines my love of individual personality and spaces. I especially like the back stories on why/how people do what they do! I used to live in Jersey and so I especially appreciate reminders of NYC. Now I’m out in Sedona, Arizona and loving the wide open spaces.
Thanks so much for what you do!

I really like the site.
I’m spending way too much time working alone, and it’s comforting to see and be inspired by the working process/inspring objects and/or junk neatly/or randomly collected and/or strewn/cataloged/framed/sat on by cats/etc., of others in the design process…

Absolutely love this idea. As I look around at the mess that is my office…I realize how organized + tidy I am throughout my home with exception to this room and this room only. It’s an organized mess. I leave things out on my desk as a reminder to “use” them…

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About Kate

Kate Donnelly is a writer, cultural enthusiast and photographer. She worked in the New York film world for ten years (@ New Line Cinema and Revolution Studios). Earlier stints include the American Film Institute, Clinton-Gore White House, and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.She contributes to DailyCandy, Fathomand interviewed Alexander Payne for The Believer. She sailed down the Amazon River in 2000 and recently traveled to Barcelona, Argentina and Uruguay. She doesn't know how to properly dive into a swimming pool but still tries. One day, she will surf.